Robert James Wren joined Space Center on November 1, 1976. Bob stated that his sponsor, a fellow member of NASA, Dr. W.R. Downs, urged him to join because there was a need to provide additional service to our community. Bob immediately started working on it, and three years later, he served as Community Service "A" Director from 1979 through 1982. He also was the Youth Committee Chairman from 1978-80. He has hold several Board positions from 1980. When he became president (1985-86), the Club had about 185 members. Bob also hold several positions within the District. At that time, the District was called 589. He received District 589 Governor’s Commendations in 1986-87, 1987-88 and 1989-90.
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RNASA Foundation is born.
In 1985, Owen Morris came to Charles Hartman with the idea to recognize individuals and/or groups who have led us into the space age, by having a National Space Trophy to honor U. S. Achievements in Space Activities. Bob Wren immediately supported the idea.
Per our own Bob's words when he wrote about RNASA in May of 2008, "...Charlie was the current President (1984-85) of Space Center Rotary and an avid Rotarian with many ideas of his own. We called Charlie the Propeller Man because, although he did not work for NASA or one of the NASA contractors or in aerospace, he was command pilot of multi- engine bombers (B-24’s, etc.), all propeller driven...Owen’s move was extremely fortunate... Charlie thought Owen was on to something, and he bounced it off me. I thought it was exactly the right thing to do. And although it would be a monumental task, I had no doubt that we could pull it off... Anyway, we immediately started forming the core group – Jack Lister (Jack), Billy Smith (Billy), etc. As we talked to more Rotarians, the enthusiasm began to snowball... We had to borrow seed money from the Club to get started including $35,000 for the large display trophy, a truly great work of art of leaded crystal. All borrowed funds were repaid to the Club... Some have asked who were the founders of RNASA. That is difficult to answer because we have had so many fine, dedicated individuals contribute to the success and good fortune of our enterprise. There is no doubt it was originally Owen Morris’s suggestion. Perhaps, the best way to approach an answer is to include all of the individuals who were involved in the initial core group, or committee, if you like, as founding fathers or founders...So many gave of their time, effort, and ideas it is a difficult question to answer fairly..."
1987 RNASA Committee. Standing L to R: Donald Robison, Terry M. Stock, Robert W. Mitchell, Robert J. Wren, John J. Francis, John T. Watson, Harold L. Neely, Jack R. Lister, Billy Ray Smith, Don H. Kirk, Charles A. Jacobson, Charles S. Hardwick, Floyd B. Boze. Seated L to R: M.A. Jowid, Lamar D. Bowles, James B. Hargrove, Charles H. Hartman, Owen G. Morris. Not shown: Sam Boyd. [Photo from 1987 RNASA Program Book]
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Space Center Rotary Endowment Foundation.
District 589 Governor Floyd Boze and Bob Wren urged the establishment of an endowment foundation in Rotary Year 1988-89 which was unanimously approved by the Rotary Year 1989-90 Board. The Space Center Rotary Club Endowment Foundation was established February 15, 1991 with Club President Billy R. Smith (1990-91) President of the Foundation.
The vision of the Foundation was to create and grow an essentially untouchable fund which will earn and produce funds for the “bricks and mortar” of places, organizations, and community groups which will identify and satisfy some of the needs of our community. Needs may range from those of the underprivileged to those of the whole community relating to the arts, science and education. Therefore, the Foundation came into existence to nurture, encourage, and advance the development of effective programs, activities, undertakings, and projects of a philanthropic, charitable, educational, humanitarian, and eleemosynary nature. Bob Wren became President of the Foundation in 2002. [Extract from SCRC History Page]
Bob states that he is very pleased that we still have two of the four Club Foundations, he helped creating on active status.
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On October 16 2007, Bob was interviewed by Jennifer Ross-Nazzal for the Johnson Space Center Oral History Project in Houston, Texas.
In 2019, Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles presented Bob with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award for all his years in the field, noted for his achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued.
In 2026 Bob was recognized by Continental Who’s Who for his outstanding contributions to the field of Aerospace and for the successes he has amassed as an Aerospace Engineering Manager and Top Engineer at NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. NASA has bestowed him the Sustained Superior Performance Award, Outstanding Service Award, and Personal Letters of Commendation.
Bob was also the president of the Friendswood Little League baseball team in 1980 and 1983 and served on the Board of Directors for the Bay Area YMCA in Houston between 1980 and 2007.
He has been always a busy guy, despite of being officially retired from NASA in 2002. Since 2003 he became an independent consultant.
He enjoys coming to our Monday's meetings and events because HE LOVES ROTARY and what we do. "I urge all Rotarians and non-Rotarians to reach out in a friendly and mannerly way to all who you encounter", Bob stated.
He is married to his beautiful girlfriend for about 39 years, Jordie. We love when she joins our meetings and events.
